DAVID RUSH
​Writer
ROBERTA
For me, I met Stinger about a year ago. I work as a counsellor for the Center for Deaf Services and I'm also a certified interpreter. I was interpreting at this political meeting and he came up to me afterwards.
(We move into the scene:)
STINGER
(HE voices)
Hey.
(SHE stops and turns. HE now signs throughout the rest of the scene)
That sign you used back then.
(HE does a sign)
... I don't get it.
ROBERTA
(signing throughout)
This? It means..
(SHE defines it, with another sign or fingerspelling)
STINGER
You mean...?
(HE shows HER another sign or repeats hers; an effort to clarify. SHE nods.)
Then you do this.
(HE shows her another sign)
ROBERTA
(SHE repeats)
Thanks.
STINGER
And when you were saying about (...); that's in California. Chicago does (...)
ROBERTA
Since when?
STINGER
There's only two ways to learn right sign. On the street with real Deafies or sleep with a deaf guy.
ROBERTA
Really?
STINGER
I'll teach you stuff the CHS never heard of. You'd be the best interpreter in the city.
ROBERTA
That's got to be the single best line I ever heard.
STINGER
I know. If only I could find one that worked as good on deaf girls.
ROBERTA
I didn't say it was working.
STINGER
Gimme a try. We could build a bridge. You could reach out and connect with the poor and unfortunate.
ROBERTA
What?
STINGER
You could make the life of one disabled jerk just a little bit better. Isn't that why you interpret?
ROBERTA
You know, you were doing okay up until now.
STINGER
You mean I'm going too fast?
ROBERTA
You stopped being funny. I gotta go.
STINGER
Wait. I'm an angry Deaf-Power soldier, that's how we are. But I'll slow down. We'll start over. What's your name?